Projectile used in

Over-all length

Maximum diameter

Thread diameter

Markings

This fuze is made of aluminum and is of recent design. It is fitted with a detonator holder which is screwed into the top. The fuze has a shipping plug used during transportation, and the detoantor is screwed into the fuze before use.

The two types of detonators used were Detonator M40 Instantaneous and Detonator M40 Ordinary. The first type is made of aluminum, is colored red, and is similar in con-struction to Percussion Nose Fuze M35. The second type is also made of aluminum, is unpainted, and contains a detonator only.

The fuze contains a striker which is kept in the unarmed position by an arming ring and ball bearing. The arming ring is positioned by a spring. To the rear of the striker is a cen-trifugal bolt which is held in position by the striker. A thin metal disc separates the fuze proper from the detonator. There is no creep spring.

On firing, the arming ring sets back and compresses its spring. The single ball bearing moves out and jams the arming ring in the rear position, inactivating the spring. The stri-ker then moves forward under the action of its spring. The centrifugal bolt which closes the flash-hole is freed and moves outward to clear the flash-hole.

On impact with Detonator M40 I, the striker in the detonator holder is forced onto the detonator. In this case, the striker in the fuze proper plays no part, execpt to clear the flash-hole with Detonator M40-0. The striker moves forward, the firing pin pierces the metal disc and hits the detonator in the holder.

Figure 206
Percussion Nose Fuze M40 with Detonator M40 - Ordinary

Figure 207
Percussion Nose Fuze M40 with Detonator M40 - Instantaneous